Firmware update for the 5672wmli ?

I'm looking to do a firmware upgrade on my 5672wmli due to incompabilities with certain media types, as well as it buring slower than normal.

I have tested various forms of media as well as different applications, and all burn slower than they are allowed.

I love the 5672wmli and it's been a great laptop (check out my review here http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16348055 ), however looking on Acer's site as well as Pioneers I have yet to find a firmware for my lappy!

Here are a few screen shots to show you




My CD-R's have been burning at 4x and my DVD's are @ 4x or 2.5x which is not acceptable in my book! =( anyone have a firmware update or a suggestion on how to fix this?

Thanks

--ssx--

 

You're looking for drive firmware, not firmware for the laptop itself. Why would Acer provide a firmware upgrade for a dvd drive?

"Your book" means nothing to Pioneer or Acer -- if it works at any speed, there is no problem.

As a shareholder of a major computer manufacturer, I would hope and expect that that company would not spend money on wasting their time on distributing (and then supporting) firmware upgrades for minor parts like DVD drives that do no more than increase speeds.

Ironically, I was able to find firmware updates for your drive with minimal effort on google:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/p...ils/0,,2076_310070215_302357597_tab=B,00.html

although it might not actually be newer than what you have now

 

unfournatly that model is not the same as mine if I recall. K06RS is different than the K06.

 

Most of the time, it's not the problem of the drive, it's the problem of the disc/medium. I've had Office Depot DVDs (DVD-R) burn at no faster than 2x, no matter what. But Philips DVD+R burns at 8x. Same goes for CDs. I don't have any CDs now, but it burns at 24x with no troubles. If using DVDs, I highly suggest DVD+Rs, since they use a more efficient tracking system (ADIP as opposed to "dash R's" pre-pitting) which is much more accurate at faster speeds. Use a well known brand like TDK or Philips.

 

Off topic: I'm not registered at DSL, but i just wanted to give props on the review. You really went in depth and took some great pics, well done...

With that said, personally i think you neglect to talk enough about the heat output of these things. I understand you like your unit and all, but i think it's safe to say EVERYONE thinks these things run WAY to hot. I enjoy my unit, don't get me wrong, but that is the worst part about this thing. I can't imagine yours runs cooler than the rest of ours. Most are topping 55C at idle, that is hardly "cool".

Secondly, 3.4 hours battery?!?! I've asked 20+ people about this, and none get over 2.5 hours, how are you pulling this off?!?! I've got Merom (less power consuming) add to that an x1400 and i still can barely crack 2:20. I think you're misleading here. Unless you're doing something no one else knows about, i can't imagine this thing seeing anything over 2.5 hours. Most aren't even getting much more than 2 hours.

Many (myself included) have reported the area above the touchpad (between the keyboard and touchpad) actually raising up (getting warped if you will). I'm not sure if you're seen this yet, but myself and several others are having this problem. Keep an eye on that and you won't be so high on their "build quality".

To elaborate on the heat issue, my back panel has actually melted and warped! I need to take some pics to really show this, but ffs, the heat is insane on these things! When you can actually melt a part of a laptop based on its heat, you have a serious problem.

On the subject of the screen, i agree it is quite pretty But it performs quite poorly outdoors (allbeit expected from me). If you've sat in a park, you'll see it is hardly acceptable. I just traveled through Europe for a month, and i could barely stand to use it outdoors. Again, that is open to perception.

Add to that, i needed to send it in for service after owning it for 6 days. They ended up replacing my motherboard. It was due to choppy audio which several are reporting on the forums.

I'm sorry i couldn't help you with your problem, but i just wanted to make some comments on your review. Don't get me wrong, i enjoyed the read, but as an owner, i think you reviewed it to prematurely. I was very high on it the first week, but after that the problems starting to show their ugly faces.

I hope things continue to be great for you, but i just wanted to throw my .02 in. Once again, nice review. I am to lazy to register at dslreports, so sorry i posted it all here

 

My 5672 doesn't run hot enough to warp the surface. It's been running straight for a day and an hour. It's actually more because I had to do a reboot after installing some updates. Actually close to 2 and a half days. Hard drive temperature is 49 and CPU temp is 59(this is while I'm typing this). I'm not saying that it's not that hot - I admit that it IS hot, but not as hot as you claim it to be(to warp the surface), I have been constantly running Azureus the whole time, which means the hard drive hasn't gotten a break at all. The touchpad gets hot, the two sides on the touchpad get hot - it's all true. But to have such extreme consequences as yours...

And as for the screen, there are waaaay better screens. It's bright, but it's nothing when compared to HPs

 

That's good to hear. I run mine for upwards of 5 days straight, and it's not even that. There are times when it's cool, and times it's just to hot to handle. I really like the notebook, don't get me wrong....but the heat IS an issue. 59C at idle is hardly acceptable imho. When it's enough to melt plastic, it's enough to be considered a serious problem. Thanks for your input though

 

Lol, no problems. Since you are having so much trouble with the heat, have you ever thought of getting a laptop cooler? They help a great deal ya know

 

Yeah i have one for at home, but it being a laptop it's not always conducive to use one.

 

Take it with you man! Do you want to ruin your near 1000 dollar investment? It's well worth taking it. And most of these coolers aren't really heavy anyway.

 

I could not agree more with you on the fact about the heat as well as the other issues you addressed here in your post. When I wrote the review I had owned the laptop about 2-3 days from the time I unboxed it to the time I finished the review. About the heat yes I do agree that it does get warm, however I noticed that the fan has 3 seperate settings on it, idle / higher / and full blast. Only when installing windows or when the laptop does not get proper ventilation does the fan kick ALL the way up. 80% of the time my fan is @ idle and barely blowing any air out of my lappy at all.

I can understand proper cooling, however with proper cooling management it is not a problem at all.

i'm getting that ammount of battery due to 2 reasons and yes I have gotten that ammount of battery.

#1. is I have everything turned down for the CPU / GPU / Hardware etc. I'm running everything at minium and I'm able to get those results.

#2. I'm running NHC instead of the default acer software, I'm not sure if you are getting worse results but on everything low these are the time i'm getting.

I have noticed that mine is raised as well, it did not occur right away but over the last 3-4 weeks yes it has occured and I have noticed it. My previous acer (Travelmate 4000lci) did not have any problems at all and this is my first occuricne of any build qualities with Acer.

what caused this melting? Did you leave it on a rug or prevent veltalation? If you lack proper venting yes this can occur but default I will not leave it on a rug.

The screen is much better than my old non-glossy screen on my 4000lci. Some people love the gloss, others hate it with a passion, I just happen to be one of those people that love it. As far as outdoors go I sit in the shade and not in direct sunlight and this helps quite a bit, but agreed it could be better.

Agreed that I might have reviewed it a hair too early, but for the out of box expierence I was more than thrilled If I was to rate it now I'd give it around an 8 out of 10 from my 9.5 previously. Many people comlain about the heat, but I can honestly say I have yet to have a problem heat related or having it get too warm for my comfort. 90% of the time I have my laptop with me on the road and I simply take one of my textbooks (I'm a teacher starting in the fall) and prop up the back of the laptop to add venting.

What you said about it running "too warm" I would say that yes it is a warmer laptop compared to my previous dothan single core laptop but in the end i'm willing to put up with the heat due to the need for a gpu that can handle BF2 fairly well. You mentioned that your CPU runs at 55c idle which is warmer than I am used too, my CPU runs at roughly 47-48c when on full power and propped up on the desk. This might be because I use the book, but it could also be that I used artic sliver 5 to help cool it down a bit.

I'll keep working on my DVD-RW problem witht that drive, it reads + and - R just fine but the problem is that I wish it would not have problems with certain types of media! Other burners see it just fine and burn @ their maxium but my laptop's is a bit slower than I would prefer. Yes I have a desktop and a server that have a total of 4 buners and I do most of my DVD-R and / CD-R there but when on the road I don't like waiting 15-20 min for a CD that is stuck @ 4X when it can do 20x

As far as the review thank you for the 2 cents and for reading it =) If there is anythign else I can do please let me know!

--ssx--


p.s. how did you get the new CPU (memrom) to read in the 5672?

 

Thanks for the feedback

Yeah, i think it might have melted when i accidently put it in a case for about ~20 minutes without turning it off (stupid me). It's not that bad, but the fan grill is actually warped, i'll try and snap some pics.

I've had Merom for a few months now. First i upgraded to a T2500, then i was able to trade that for a T2600 (don't ask, long story, but happy to make the trade ) From there i got my hands on this T7200 and i must say, it's blazing fast. Despite the 166MHz less clock speed from my previous 2600, it is still 10-20% faster clock for clock depending on tasks. Personally i found the T2300 to be far to slow for my needs, but then again i've been running on Athlon/X2's running at well over 2.9GHz for years now, so it was actually a noticable difference than what i was used to.

As far as how, you just need the latest BIOS available from Acer (v3224). It is just drop in. I added some AS5 to the GPU and CPU.

Without the Merom i would probably rate around a ~7, with Merom i give it an ~8ish. I'm pretty pleased with this laptop overall. The warping above the touchpad coupled with the heat really takes a lot away. Otherwise i am very pleased with it. What really upsets me though is the fact that i bought to early and now everyone has the x1600 and i'm stuck with the x1400.....lol. I guess it's all good, i don't game on the laptop anyways.

Sorry for getting so off topic

 

About DVR-K06RS I just used K06 RPC-1 firmware (v1.04) and worked fine (confirmed).

Dunno if DVR-K16RS would work, didn't tried and I don't wanna mess with my DVR.

Get RPC-1 @ http://tdb.rpc1.org

Gradius

 

Something is odd my BIOS version (Aspire 5670) is v1.3233 (07/11/06).

My version also includes X1600 (yay!).

Next step is 2GB 667MHz (1GB included are 533MHz only).

Gradius

 

But that's not the worst of it. If it was 1GB stick, then all you'd have to do is buy another of the same brand stick. But it's 2 X 512MB sticks!! Now you have to scrap both and buy TWO 1GB sticks. Blah! Then you'll have to sell the original RAM on eBay. What a waste of time.

 

Hmmm, they got 1.05 out now!

 

Careful, v1.05 is RPC-2, not RPC-1 !

Gradius

 

True that, but about every notebook around is like that, not only from Acer.

Gradius

 

At the time I bought my 5672, I was pondering over whether I should get an Acer with 1GB (a lower Aspire model) or a Travelmate that had the same RAM but was a single 1GB stick instead of the usual two (i.e. it still had one slot available). I almost went for the TM until I found the 5672 version with the 2GB already installed. But some TMs only have one RAM slot filled.

 

SSX4life, how did you obtain a list of the component models? Is there a white paper on the 5672? I mean how do you know the DVD is a Pioneer K06RS? Do you know the part numbers to all the components? Could you post it? TIA,

Talon

 

I just used Diskinfo, and it reports my DVD as a Matshita(Panasonic) UJ-845S and not the Pioneer K06RS that was mentioned. Good thing I didn't flash using the K06 update!! So just be forwarned, not all 5672 models use the same DVD.

 

Yeah, use DVDInfo if you're not sure which model is on your notebook.

Btw, good news, v1.05 (Pioneer DVR-K06) is RPC-1 too.

You can also upgrade this notebook until T2600 CPU too (very easy), 4GB RAM and 250GB HD. ;-)

Gradius

 

The upgrade (firmware tool) also shows to you which drive you have before to say "yes" or "ok" to continue.

Gradius

 

Can you please post a link to the firmware update on the 5672wlmi?

Thanks

 

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?download_id=2252

Btw, this isn't an update for the 5672 per se, it's just for the Pioneer Slot loading DVD K06

 

I Just tried the 1.05 and the 1.00 (1.04 not available).
Both applications give me a "Available Target Is Not Found" message.

Suggestion appreciated. I cannot seem to burn CDs, it fails on the Lead In.

 

DJ, did you read my post above yours? Maybe you DON'T have the Pioneer drive. If you do, then ignore this. You may have the Matshita and if so, the flash app will say that it doesn't see the K06RS target.

 

Just upgraded my BIOS from 3233 (07/11/06) to 3234 (08/09/06).

Get it from here (use save as):
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5620_5670/bios/3234.zip

Gradius

 

Gradius, I posted about that BIOS a week ago. All they add is "Disable Off in Post Time"

Talon

 

Talon,
According to DISCInfo, it's the DVR-K06RS [1.01]
I reformatted and installed XP Pro SP2 Monday thinking that might solve the issue.

Again, any and all suggestions welcome. I LOVE this laptop other than the current drive issue.

Attaching Screenshot from DISCInfo.

Thanks
Marc

 

DVR-K06RS is 100% the same as DVR-K06, I'm using RPC-1 v1.05 perfect.

Gradius

 

do u have any games installed with copy protection, starforce can kill burn speed, eventually down to 1x

 

i tried updating the cdrom driver to 1.05 but it says Available target is not found..do u guys kno what happened or why?

 

Does anybody have a copy of the 1.04 firmware, from what i understand i cannot copy the 1.05 firmware until the 1.04 is loaded onto the 1.01 k06rs. If you have a copy can you email it to me @ [email protected]. OR if you have another solution let me know..

 

I just tried changing to a moddified 1.04 firmware from the K06RS 1.01 original firmware and was unsuccesful, will the original 1.04 transfer, does anybody have a way to update the K06rs that really works and the files?????????? I'm currently really frustrated!!!!

 

I have the K06RS and I have successfully upgraded the drive to 1.04 and then to 1.05. This was the RPC1 firmware from http://tdb.rpc1.org/#DVRK06
DISCInfo now lists the CDR write speed as 24X, but when I tried to write a disk, it still wrote at 4X. My DVD+Rs wrote at 2.4X.

Gradient,
What were your results?

The only true solution may be to replace this drive.

 

Can I just download the 1.05 firmware on the site you link and simply double click the .exe and flash? I currently have 1.01 installed (i've never flashed the firmware before) and am trying to fix an issue with really slow CD-R read and write speeds. Please can you confirm what I need to do to update my firmware for the Pioneer DVR-K06. Thanks in advance. Regards, Chris.